Coming to theaters July 25, 2025, from Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions, The Home is written and directed by James DeMonaco, best known for creating The Purge franchise. DeMonaco is known for blending Horror and Sci-Fi with sharp social commentary, and his latest film continues in that vein. The story follows Max, a former foster child played by Pete Davidson (The King of Staten Island, 2020; Bodies Bodies Bodies, 2022), who struggles to stay out of trouble with the law. When assigned community service at a retirement home, Max begins to suspect the residents and caretakers are hiding disturbing secrets—ones far more sinister than he could have imagined.
Davidson delivers a refreshingly unexpected performance, stepping outside his usual comedic persona to bring surprising depth and sincerity to Max. Rather than portraying him as a brooding or detached outsider, Davidson infuses the character with quiet warmth and genuine compassion, especially in his interactions with the elderly residents.
What could have been a one-dimensional role instead feels layered and grounded, thanks to Davidson’s ability to convey vulnerability alongside determination. His motivation feels pure without ever becoming overly sentimental. At the same time, Davidson retains his signature dry humor, keeping Max relatable even as the story darkens. While a few of his line deliveries come off as clunky or awkward, they rarely detract from the performance and sometimes enhance Max’s rough-around-the-edges charm.
In contrast, the supporting cast—particularly the caretakers and many of the residents—often feels underwritten or one-dimensional. This lack of complexity limits the emotional weight of the story’s darker moments, making it harder for the audience to fully invest in their fates. As a result, some of the film’s more intense revelations don’t resonate as deeply as they might have.
The writing also occasionally leans too heavily on exposition, with characters sometimes explaining key plot points rather than allowing visuals or subtle cues to build the mystery. These moments of clunky dialogue can briefly disrupt the immersive atmosphere and slow the film’s momentum, pulling viewers out of the experience.
That said, DeMonaco expertly builds tension and unease throughout the film, crafting a slow-burn atmosphere where something sinister simmers just beneath the surface. From Max’s first day at the retirement home, there is an underlying sense that something is not quite right.
Rather than rushing into Horror clichés, DeMonaco lets discomfort grow gradually through small, unsettling details that accumulate and foster a mounting sense of paranoia. The pacing of the reveal is well-measured; each clue deepens the mystery without giving away too much too soon. By the time the truth unfolds, the emotional and psychological groundwork has been carefully laid, making the climax feel both earned and gripping—even if some viewers anticipate the twist.
The Home may not break new ground in Horror storytelling, but it offers an intriguing experience anchored by Davidson’s surprisingly nuanced performance. DeMonaco’s steady direction and skillful tension-building create an unsettling atmosphere that will have audiences on edge throughout the entire film. While the film stumbles with one-note supporting roles and moments of heavy-handed exposition, it is overall a fun time. The film does not take itself too seriously, and neither should the audience. This is why Cryptic Rock The Home 3 out of 5 stars.
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